Fall Frenzy

Wow, it's been entirely too long since I've posted, but the last month has been so incredibly busy. I have so many pictures that I need to post and updates to share. Where to begin? I'll give my written update and then post pics later.

Okay, we went to Dixie Dude Ranch mid-September, instead of June when we normally go, because Aaron's Uncle Larry got married Sept 17th. We had an awesome time, as usual. The kids had a BALL! They had so much fun swimming, riding horses, playing ping pong and tether ball, being out in nature, being with family, and being with the four other cousins that are their same age! What a life! It was a really wonderful trip.

Since we've returned to TX, I'm full speed ahead into Nutcracker, the kids have school, dance, and swimming, we all have church, I really need to get going with Angel Tree, and my MOMC (mothers of multiples club) responsibilites have been crazy!

So lets start with Nutcracker. The part where I get together with the kids and adults in my cast and do the artistic stuff (the choregraphing, staging, rehearsing) is fantastic. I have a wonderful cast, and Party Scene is coming together really quickly and beautifully, and I'm already thrilled. The parts where I have to think about costuming, sets, props, deal with parents, and with one especially EGR (extra grace required) person who is involved in the production are the parts that make it stressful. By and large, however, it has been a good experience...it just happens to be taking up A LOT of my life right now. By November, I will be down to only rehearsing 2 hours a week on Saturdays, just running Party Scene, and that will be much better.

The kids are loving their new school. We moved them from a place called Fellowship Bible to Cross Church Springdale, simply because I can send them 2 days a week at the new place for the price of 1 at the old place...and its a completely comparable program and curriculum. Kind of a no brainer! Last week they had hay rides and they thought that was the coolest thing ever. They will have two costume party days, and they are super excited about that. Alec will be Spiderman...again, and Emma will be a princess, ballerina, butterfly, or Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Still deciding.

Dance lessons and swimming are going great. I posted on facebook, but have to say it here too. At their last dance class, Miss Rachel was telling the kids that their Momma was a ballerina. Alec abruptly proclaimed "My Daddy is Spiderman. He climbs buildings!" I heard it over the monitor that is set up in the waiting area. So so funny!

In swimming last week, Alec swam on his own for the first time. It wasn't very far, but heck, it was still on his own. He is doing so well. His teacher, Miss Lori, tells me every week how well he is progressing.

At church, Aaron and I have been helping out with the Kids' Church program on Wednesday nights. Alec and Emma have gotten really into getting points on Wed night. They get a point for coming, for bringing their Bible, for saying their memory verse and for bringing a friend. I've actually been really proud of how well they are memorizing their verses for school and church. And it's good for me to help them remember them, because then I remember them too!

So, you may recall from the last two years that I am one of the coordinators for our church's Angel Tree program. We received our list of names of the children we will be serving this year at the end of Sept. I have yet to call the families to get gift preferences. Usually, I am way more ahead on this. But in light of Nutcracker madness, and the fact that we have something going on every night, except for Thursdays, with regularity...I'm just behind. Things will free up after this weekend.

Another thing that's been keeping me swamped is MOMC. I've been tagging and prepping for our Fall Consignment Sale. That usually takes me a good week, to get everything tagged and ready. AND because I'm Hospitality Chair, I arrange for a week of meals for each of our members who has given birth recently. WE HAVE HAD SIX MOTHERS GIVE BIRTH TO TWINS IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS!!! And we have two more due before Thanksgiving. Usually my job is not that difficult, but having this many to plan hospitality meals for has really been exhausting. We've just had a major baby boom in our club!

Last weekend, we took the kids to our annual corn maze trip. I will post pics of that, and Dixie Dude, and all the other stuff I've neglected in the next post.

This weekend is Consignment Sale, Nut rehearsals, Church, and our annual Fall Family Photo Shoot. We're taking our pictures Sunday afternoon at the new Crystal Bridges walking trail amongst all of the beautiful Fall foliage. Hopefully, we'll take some nice pics worthy of this year's Christmas card.